In Northern Maine, the tiny town of Houlton (population 6,000), nestled on the Canadian border, is generally a quiet place. But as one of the last places in the country to view Monday’s eclipse in totality, Houlton’s numbers could soar as high as 40,000; town leaders say it’s impossible to know exactly.
Events leading up to the day have included weekend fireworks, a road race and a bus tour of Maine’s solar system. Meanwhile, officials have been preparing by setting aside designated viewing areas, ordering portable toilets, instructing residents on eye safety, setting up a live feed and even creating a tent for yoga and tarot.
Host Robin Young checks in with three residents: Lindsay Anderson, manager of Brookside Bakery; Jane Torres, director of Houlton’s Chamber of Commerce; and Mark Horvath, a town councilor and astronomer.
A theater in Houlton welcomes NASA. (Courtesy)
People dress up like aliens for the eclipse. (Courtesy)
This article was originally published on WBUR.org.
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